February 19, 2011

Today's Everyday Fashion: If at First You Don't Succeed







































Let's be honest here. Sometimes you get an outfit idea, you're really excited about it, and then you put it on and it sucks. It happens to the best of us. Today's outfit was a process so I thought I'd share my past FAIL and how I learned from it:

Left: FAIL I put this outfit together a couple months ago but something was "off." I eventually realized that a. the sweater flaring out over either side of the pencil skirt was making my hips look really wide, b. the sweater looked sloppy unbuttoned and c. in general this vest was way too long for this skirt (the hemline is only a few inches longer than the vest).

Right: PASS This outfit is having the exact opposite effect as the one on the left. I look long and slim vs. short and stumpy, the buttoned vest is having a slimming effect on my waist and the length of the vest looks stylish, not cumbersome. Today's lesson: if at first you don't succeed, try, try again!

Occasion: I wore the look on the right to a Facebook coaching session with some small business owners earlier this week.
Sweater vest: Forever 21, $22
Shirt: Banana Republic, $15
Jeans: Gap, $15
Belt: Gap, $10
Earrings: Urban Outfitters, $5
Shoes: Restricted/Endless.com, $39
Posted by JsEverydayFashion at 9:30 AM

26 comments:

  1. MarianneJFebruary 19, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    I had that Fail moment you are talking about today... I learned a LOT from this post, thanks J!

    ReplyDelete
  2. ChristineK89February 19, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    Another one of your outfits I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!
    I've been looking for a vest like that forever, I think it's super versatile for creating outfits.
    PS-Sometimes a big blank gap appears between your pic and txt, thought you might want to know

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  3. Marina_February 19, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    ur just glowing in these pictures, nice job!

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  4. Nlewis188February 19, 2011 at 1:59 PM

    When I first looked at your “fail” outfit I didn’t agree with you. I just thought move this and reposition that. But, once you explained your reasoning… I totally agree! That is precisely why I like your blog. Style and inspirations come from all places and your blog really does give me inspiration for some of my outfits and topics for my blog.

    Thanks!

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  5. MindyFebruary 19, 2011 at 3:14 PM

    Thanks for sharing this J! This kind of stuff is something I don't really pay attention to or know very much about - I mean how certain pieces of clothing look/fit together and look best on me. I need to pay more attention in the mirror!

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  6. JoyceFebruary 19, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    Ok, I guess this is why I don't have a fashion blog and you do, but I actually like the fail outfit better. It just looks "neater," I guess. To each his own, right? As far as both outfits go, tho, I really prefer you without a belt. I just don't like the belts, and don't really know why. Again, to each his own. For the most part, your blog is wonderful, and I enjoy coming here every day to see what you've put together, and have actually learned a couple things that have helped me choose my own outfits.

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  7. Lvm83_02February 19, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    I actually like both outfits lol oh well :-)

    Vickie

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nsmith24caFebruary 19, 2011 at 4:51 PM

    I think the fail should be the pass and the pass should be the fail...something about the belt looks off...kinda shapeless around the waist area. The first one is fab!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnikasmomFebruary 19, 2011 at 5:31 PM

    Your right, it looks so much better with the jeans. I love it :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. rammyFebruary 19, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    I hate fail moments like the left!

    ReplyDelete
  11. KatieFebruary 19, 2011 at 8:29 PM

    I actually like both of these outfits!! I don't think the sweater with the skirt is making your hips look wide at all!!! Also, I really love the gray shoes on that one. They both look fab to me, J!

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  12. SarraFebruary 19, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    is it bad that i also like the "fail" outfit? ;)

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  13. TarynweaveFebruary 19, 2011 at 11:55 PM

    Love the jeans...what style are they?? I have never worn gap jeans...are they pretty true to size?

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  14. jseverydayfashionFebruary 20, 2011 at 10:54 AM

    Taryn, I 'm not sure of the exact style name I think they were "Flares" or "Super-flares"? (they aren't available anymore) I think Gap usually runs very true to size though!

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  15. jseverydayfashionFebruary 20, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    Nope! That's fashion for ya - completely objective! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. jseverydayfashionFebruary 20, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    Thank you Christine! I noticed the gap on my husband's computer. I think it has to do with what browser you are using. It's frustrating, b/c if I fix it on my hubby's computer, it looks crazy on my computer. :-(

    ReplyDelete
  17. jseverydayfashionFebruary 20, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    When it comes to fashion, it really is objective! To each their own. :-)

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  18. jseverydayfashionFebruary 20, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    Joyce, it's not so much that I have a blog, it's just that fashion is completely objective and people are bound to have different opinions! :-) If I saw someone wearing the left I would not approve - I think the skirt is too short for a vest that long, but some people love it which is fine. And not everyone likes belts, but for my body type they are a lifesaver. I have zero curves, so adding a belt is essential to create shape and give me a womanly figure! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. BiancaFebruary 20, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    I see why the left outfit isn't working as you explained, but I think a lot of people like it anyways because you are wearing with such confidence YOU MAKE IT work, so them disagreeing with you is actually the greatest compliment you could get:-)
    ps-love your blog!

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  20. Monallita82February 20, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    Your greatest accessory is the raised eyebrow, it is soooo freakin cute!!! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  21. Teri ZawrotnyFebruary 20, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    I'm glad to hear that even you have fails sometimes too!

    ReplyDelete
  22. erinFebruary 21, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    subjective! (sorry to be a pain)

    ReplyDelete
  23. jseverydayfashionFebruary 21, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    I was really tired yesterday ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  24. AngelineFebruary 22, 2011 at 2:16 AM

    oo I love the belted vest look!

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  25. Kay Sarah SarahFebruary 24, 2011 at 5:20 AM

    Though, I do agree with you on the hem line issue, I have to disagree about you looking wide (at least based on the photos given). In the fail image the open vest with the belt makes you look hour glassy (feminine, but not ridiculously or "inappropriately" curvy), while the closed version makes you look more boxy (sorry! =[ Don't want to sound mean. I am a huge fan of the blog!) And I love the pass shoe over the gray.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Colleen McCloskeyFebruary 24, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    Love this.
    Nice tips that help me in other things I think about wearing (or do wear).

    Colleen
    http://scrapandrun.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

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